Protests in Northeast Syria Over Fuel Price Hikes

Hundreds protested in the predominantly Kurdish city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria over government fuel price hikes, following similar protests in other areas.

According to AFP, demonstrators—men and women—wandered the streets of Qamishli holding signs reading in Arabic "No to policies of starvation," "Protect the people's food," and "No to fuel price increases," while some chanted "Our oil belongs to the people."

Syrian authorities announced on Sunday a temporary increase in fuel prices, with diesel prices rising by 40 percent and gasoline by 26 percent, in a country where per capita income remains low and most residents have lived below the poverty line for years due to the conflict, according to the United Nations.

Protests erupted across various regions of northern, northwestern, and northeastern Syria since Sunday, including in Idlib and Hassakeh governorates.

The authorities justified the fuel price hike by citing rising global energy market prices amid regional conflicts, noting that Syria heavily relies on imports to meet its petroleum product needs, while the country’s energy infrastructure remains weak after more than a decade of neglect.

These are the broadest protests since the new authorities took power following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, despite their pledge to revive the economy, rehabilitate infrastructure, and rebuild state institutions after over a decade of war.

Northern and northeastern Syria hosts the country’s largest oil and gas fields and has come under state control after the authorities asserted dominance earlier this year over areas previously held by Kurdish forces.